Bute House repairs

Bute House, the official residence of the First Minister of Scotland, has temporarily closed to enable unscheduled essential repair work to take place.

Recent routine monitoring revealed that urgent ceiling repairs and further inspection work are required to the A listed building, which is located at Charlotte Square in Edinburgh and owned by the National Trust for Scotland.

Meetings of the Scottish Cabinet will take place at St Andrew’s House for the duration of the works. Temporary alternative arrangements are being put in place for the First Minister’s accommodation and working requirements while she is in Edinburgh.

The repairs, which have been advised by the building’s conservators, are being coordinated by Historic Environment Scotland and are expected to be completed over the winter months.

Background

Bute House is an historic Georgian building constructed in the 1790s. It is situated in Edinburgh’s New Town, a World Heritage site, and has been the official residence of the First Minister since Scottish devolution in 1999.

The conservation and care of Bute House is delivered through partnership and collaboration between the Scottish Government, Historic Environment Scotland, National Galleries of Scotland, National Trust for Scotland and the Bute House Trustees.